ZIMBABWE – Seed producer, Seed Co Zimbabwe has completed setting up its new US$12 million artificial seed drying plant at Stapleford, Mt Hampden, Zimbabwe which will enhance early seed availability for sale post-harvest.

The group is also looking at increasing the capacity of the artificial seed drying facility in Harare, as well as replicating it in the region, reports The Herald.

Seed Co Chief Executive Morgan Nzwere said, “The artificial seed drying plant was successfully completed at Stapleford, which can do 5,000 tonnes. It will allow us to service early seed and will focus on varieties that are typically affected by late rainfall. The artificial seed dryer will help improve our margins as we will now access the seed earlier. Stage 2 of this project will take us to 12,000 metric tonnes.”

The facility was established with US$25 million loan financing from French development financial institution Proparco, to strengthens food security in the region.

The seven-year support is divided into two tranches, each for US$ 12.5m, with a 7-year maturity.

The support will also be channelled towards research and international expansion via a loan to Seedco Zambia.

For the year ending March 2021, the group posted a positive set of numbers, with a significant improvement in the topline.

Total revenues jumped 60 percent to ZW$5.8 billion (US$16 million) from ZW$3.7 billion (US$10.2 million) in the prior comparable period, largely attributable to a 36 percent rise in volumes as well as price adjustments.

“Product availability was good this year but stockouts were experienced both in Zimbabwe and the regional markets due to the unanticipated surge in demand across the board

Seed Co Zimbabwe’s full year revenues jumped 60% to US$16 million largely attributable to a 36 percent rise in volumes as well as price adjustments

“Demand surge helped to run down carry-over stocks,” said Mr. Nzwere.

Profit after tax for the year amounted to ZW$ 800 million (US$2.2 million) in inflation-adjusted terms, a significant improvement from last year’s inflation-adjusted loss despite a jump in operating costs.

“Operating costs grew faster in inflation-adjusted terms due to exchange rate induced hyperinflation,” said group finance director John Matorofa.

“Finance costs were also significantly up in line with higher interest rates and increased borrowings to finance higher volume,” he added.

In terms of sales, maize remained the flagship seed crop, contributing 55 percent of the volume and growing by 61 percent due to strong government and open market demand, as well as 3,600 metric tonne exports to Malawi, Tanzania and Mozambique.

Wheat sales grew 66 percent, buoyed by a once-off 2,000 MT export order to Nigeria, while soybeans volume was 17 percent up, driven by strong oilseed local demand. Sorghum and barley were stable.

Management said other sales were significantly lower than prior due as there was not much-deteriorated stock sold as a commodity this year 2021.

Regarding the group’s joint ventures and associates, Seed Co International nearly doubled its profit from US$6 million to US$11 million in real terms, while Quton’s profitability halved as its monetary loss also doubled.

Prime Seed (the local Vegetable JV) suffered a loss due to margin erosion mainly attributable to foreign currency losses on imported seeds.

Going forward, the group expects to “ride on the good performance achieved in the just-ended financial year on the back of the anticipated continuation of Government programs.”

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